Travel, Teach, Live in Europe and Middle East

Things to Do in Corsica - The Island With Everything! (Europe)

By:Wes Davidson

Corsica has never really been a popular destination for American tourists. The most many Americans know about Corsica is that it is an island and Napoleon was born there. This is a shame because Corsica offers the most diverse range of activities of any Mediterranean destination. If you look at a topographical map of Corsica the first thing you will notice is that it is almost entirely mountainous. Much of the interior of the island is dedicated to nature preserves and is home to one of Europe's premier hiking trails, the GR 20. The trail is 110 miles long and runs the length of the island from north to south. The terrain here is not what you'd expect from an island in the Mediterranean. The highest peak is almost 9,000 feet in elevation. Compare that to the tallest peak in New England, Mount Washington at 6,288 feet in elevation.

If you are not the hiking type, Corsica has over two hundred beaches along its coastline. Its beaches are some of the best Europe has to offer and with a backdrop of sweeping mountain vistas they are some of the most scenic. The island is closer to Italy than it is to France and for centuries was under Genoese rule. The Italian heritage is evident on the face of Corsican culture. The cuisine here is often times referred to as a blend of French and Italian. This, however would be an over simplification. The food is centered around the Corsican staples of chestnuts, goat's milk, olives, and of course seafood. Charcuterie plays an integral part in the Corsican culinary tradition. In contrast to Spanish pigs that subsist primarily on acorns, Corsican pigs have their own distinct flavor from a diet of chestnuts. Roasted lamb is also a Corsican favorite.

Whether you are looking to test yourself on the Corsican peaks or just enjoy the island from the comfort of a beach chaise, Corsica has it all. To fully explore the island and the natural beauty of the interior, a car rental is your best bet. The tourist train is nice but it will limit you to one half of the island. Experience the best the Mediterranean has to offer with a Corsican adventure today!